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EMERGENCY FIRE DISPATCH (EFD) EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
EMERGENCY FIRE DISPATCH (EFD) EXAM: 250 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES
QUESTIONS 1-50: FPDS FOUNDATIONS AND CALL PROCESSING
1. A caller reports a car on fire inside a freestanding parking garage. The fire is not
threatening anything, and one person is injured. What is the most appropriate
determinant code?
A. 71-A-1
B. 71-C-2X
C. 69-A-1
D. 70-B-2X
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The incident is a vehicle fire inside a structure. Protocol 71 (Vehicle Fire) with
determinant code C-2X is appropriate for a vehicle fire inside a structure with reported
injury. The presence of an injured person escalates the determinant from lower levels.
2. What is the Case Entry question "Okay, tell me exactly what happened" designed
to elicit?
A. The exact street address
B. A callback phone number
C. The Chief Complaint
D. The patient's age
Correct Answer: C
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Rationale: "Okay, tell me exactly what happened" is the universal Case Entry prompt
used to identify the Chief Complaint so the calltaker can route to the correct Chief
Complaint Protocol. Address, callback, and demographic data are gathered through
other Case Entry items.
3. Approximately how many Chief Complaint Protocols are in the Fire Priority
Dispatch System?
A. 12
B. 21
C. 33
D. 50
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FPDS contains 33 Chief Complaint Protocols, numbered in the 50s through
70s/80s. Examples include Protocol 51 Aircraft Emergency, 52 Alarms, 67 Outside Fire,
69 Structure Fire, and 71 Vehicle Fire.
4. Which FPDS protocol covers the response to an inbound aircraft emergency or
post-crash incident?
A. Protocol 60 Hazmat
B. Protocol 51 Aircraft Emergency
C. Protocol 69 Structure Fire
D. Protocol 62 Unknown/Trouble Unknown
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Protocol 51 Aircraft Emergency handles standby, inbound emergencies, and
post-crash incidents involving fixed-wing or rotary aircraft. Key Questions cover fuel
onboard, persons onboard, and runway/location considerations.
5. Which FPDS determinant level represents an immediately life-threatening
response such as a working structure fire with confirmed entrapment?
A. CHARLIE
B. DELTA
C. ECHO
D. OMEGA
Correct Answer: C
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Rationale: ECHO is the highest FPDS determinant level and is reserved for incidents
with immediately life-threatening conditions such as confirmed entrapment, people
trapped by fire, or arrest. It triggers the fastest possible mobilization within the agency
response plan.
6. A caller reports a smoke odor inside a structure. What is the best Chief
Complaint Protocol to use?
A. Protocol 69: Structure Fire
B. Protocol 63: Smell of Smoke
C. Protocol 52: Alarms
D. Protocol 62: Unknown/Trouble Unknown
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Protocol 63: Smell of Smoke is used for reports of smoke odor without
confirmed fire. If the caller reports seeing flames or fire, the call would be routed to
Protocol 69: Structure Fire.
7. A caller reports a chlorine gas leak at an industrial facility. What is the best Chief
Complaint Protocol?
A. Protocol 60: HAZMAT
B. Protocol 61: HAZMAT (revised)
C. Protocol 59: Fuel Spill/Fuel Odor
D. Protocol 62: Unknown/Trouble Unknown
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Protocol 60/61: HAZMAT is used for hazardous materials incidents, including
gas leaks. Chlorine gas is a hazardous material requiring appropriate response and
evacuation instructions.
8. A caller reports his boat has run out of fuel and he is stranded on the ocean.
What is the best Chief Complaint Protocol?
A. Protocol 64: Train and Rail Incident
B. Protocol 73: Watercraft in Distress/Collision
C. Protocol 67: Outside Fire
D. Protocol 71: Vehicle Fire
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Protocol 73: Watercraft in Distress/Collision is used for incidents involving
boats, ships, or other watercraft. This includes mechanical failure, grounding, collision,
and distress situations.
9. Which FPDS protocol covers residential and commercial smoke detector
activations and carbon monoxide alarms?
A. Protocol 67: Outside Fire
B. Protocol 52: Alarms
C. Protocol 69: Structure Fire
D. Protocol 63: Smell of Smoke
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Protocol 52: Alarms covers smoke detector, CO detector, sprinkler/water
flow, duct, and pull station activations. Key Questions distinguish between detector-
only activations and confirmed smoke or fire.
10. The four primary components of the FPDS are Case Entry, Chief Complaint
Protocols, Pre-Arrival Instructions, and:
A. Case Exit Protocol
B. Post-Dispatch Instructions
C. Critical EFD Information
D. Determinant Codes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The four primary components of the FPDS are: Case Entry, Chief Complaint
Protocols, Pre-Arrival Instructions, and Case Exit Protocol. PDI, CEI, and Determinant
Codes are components of the Chief Complaint Protocols themselves.
QUESTIONS 51-100: DETERMINANT CODES AND PRE-ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS
51. On Protocol 52: Alarms, a caller reports a CO detector beeping with no
symptoms in the home. What is the correct Pre-Arrival Instruction sequence?
A. Evacuate everyone outside to fresh air, leave doors open, and do not re-enter
B. Stay in the home and open all interior doors
C. Turn on the kitchen exhaust fan and check the oven first
D. Reset the detector and call back if symptoms develop
Correct Answer: A
EMERGENCY FIRE DISPATCH (EFD) EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
EMERGENCY FIRE DISPATCH (EFD) EXAM: 250 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES
QUESTIONS 1-50: FPDS FOUNDATIONS AND CALL PROCESSING
1. A caller reports a car on fire inside a freestanding parking garage. The fire is not
threatening anything, and one person is injured. What is the most appropriate
determinant code?
A. 71-A-1
B. 71-C-2X
C. 69-A-1
D. 70-B-2X
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The incident is a vehicle fire inside a structure. Protocol 71 (Vehicle Fire) with
determinant code C-2X is appropriate for a vehicle fire inside a structure with reported
injury. The presence of an injured person escalates the determinant from lower levels.
2. What is the Case Entry question "Okay, tell me exactly what happened" designed
to elicit?
A. The exact street address
B. A callback phone number
C. The Chief Complaint
D. The patient's age
Correct Answer: C
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Rationale: "Okay, tell me exactly what happened" is the universal Case Entry prompt
used to identify the Chief Complaint so the calltaker can route to the correct Chief
Complaint Protocol. Address, callback, and demographic data are gathered through
other Case Entry items.
3. Approximately how many Chief Complaint Protocols are in the Fire Priority
Dispatch System?
A. 12
B. 21
C. 33
D. 50
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FPDS contains 33 Chief Complaint Protocols, numbered in the 50s through
70s/80s. Examples include Protocol 51 Aircraft Emergency, 52 Alarms, 67 Outside Fire,
69 Structure Fire, and 71 Vehicle Fire.
4. Which FPDS protocol covers the response to an inbound aircraft emergency or
post-crash incident?
A. Protocol 60 Hazmat
B. Protocol 51 Aircraft Emergency
C. Protocol 69 Structure Fire
D. Protocol 62 Unknown/Trouble Unknown
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Protocol 51 Aircraft Emergency handles standby, inbound emergencies, and
post-crash incidents involving fixed-wing or rotary aircraft. Key Questions cover fuel
onboard, persons onboard, and runway/location considerations.
5. Which FPDS determinant level represents an immediately life-threatening
response such as a working structure fire with confirmed entrapment?
A. CHARLIE
B. DELTA
C. ECHO
D. OMEGA
Correct Answer: C
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Rationale: ECHO is the highest FPDS determinant level and is reserved for incidents
with immediately life-threatening conditions such as confirmed entrapment, people
trapped by fire, or arrest. It triggers the fastest possible mobilization within the agency
response plan.
6. A caller reports a smoke odor inside a structure. What is the best Chief
Complaint Protocol to use?
A. Protocol 69: Structure Fire
B. Protocol 63: Smell of Smoke
C. Protocol 52: Alarms
D. Protocol 62: Unknown/Trouble Unknown
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Protocol 63: Smell of Smoke is used for reports of smoke odor without
confirmed fire. If the caller reports seeing flames or fire, the call would be routed to
Protocol 69: Structure Fire.
7. A caller reports a chlorine gas leak at an industrial facility. What is the best Chief
Complaint Protocol?
A. Protocol 60: HAZMAT
B. Protocol 61: HAZMAT (revised)
C. Protocol 59: Fuel Spill/Fuel Odor
D. Protocol 62: Unknown/Trouble Unknown
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Protocol 60/61: HAZMAT is used for hazardous materials incidents, including
gas leaks. Chlorine gas is a hazardous material requiring appropriate response and
evacuation instructions.
8. A caller reports his boat has run out of fuel and he is stranded on the ocean.
What is the best Chief Complaint Protocol?
A. Protocol 64: Train and Rail Incident
B. Protocol 73: Watercraft in Distress/Collision
C. Protocol 67: Outside Fire
D. Protocol 71: Vehicle Fire
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Protocol 73: Watercraft in Distress/Collision is used for incidents involving
boats, ships, or other watercraft. This includes mechanical failure, grounding, collision,
and distress situations.
9. Which FPDS protocol covers residential and commercial smoke detector
activations and carbon monoxide alarms?
A. Protocol 67: Outside Fire
B. Protocol 52: Alarms
C. Protocol 69: Structure Fire
D. Protocol 63: Smell of Smoke
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Protocol 52: Alarms covers smoke detector, CO detector, sprinkler/water
flow, duct, and pull station activations. Key Questions distinguish between detector-
only activations and confirmed smoke or fire.
10. The four primary components of the FPDS are Case Entry, Chief Complaint
Protocols, Pre-Arrival Instructions, and:
A. Case Exit Protocol
B. Post-Dispatch Instructions
C. Critical EFD Information
D. Determinant Codes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The four primary components of the FPDS are: Case Entry, Chief Complaint
Protocols, Pre-Arrival Instructions, and Case Exit Protocol. PDI, CEI, and Determinant
Codes are components of the Chief Complaint Protocols themselves.
QUESTIONS 51-100: DETERMINANT CODES AND PRE-ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS
51. On Protocol 52: Alarms, a caller reports a CO detector beeping with no
symptoms in the home. What is the correct Pre-Arrival Instruction sequence?
A. Evacuate everyone outside to fresh air, leave doors open, and do not re-enter
B. Stay in the home and open all interior doors
C. Turn on the kitchen exhaust fan and check the oven first
D. Reset the detector and call back if symptoms develop
Correct Answer: A
